The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Question #1Question #1

What was Gatsby’s real name?What was Gatsby’s real name?

James GatzJames Gatz

Why and when had he changed it?Why and when had he changed it?

When he met Dan Cody, he changed his When he met Dan Cody, he changed his name. It sounded “richer” and more name. It sounded “richer” and more romantic. He cut ties with the past.romantic. He cut ties with the past.

Question #2Question #2

In what ways was Dan Cody involved in In what ways was Dan Cody involved in Gatsby’s destiny?Gatsby’s destiny?

Cody was a millionaire who became Cody was a millionaire who became Gatsby’s mentor.Gatsby’s mentor.

Question #3Question #3

Why does Tom attend Gatsby’s party?Why does Tom attend Gatsby’s party?

He attends because Daisy intends to go.He attends because Daisy intends to go.

How does this scene reveal the contrast How does this scene reveal the contrast between Gatsby and Tom?between Gatsby and Tom?

Tom makes fun of Gatsby and points out Tom makes fun of Gatsby and points out the vulgarity of Gatsby’s possessions. the vulgarity of Gatsby’s possessions.

The scene underscores that Gatsby and The scene underscores that Gatsby and Tom are of vastly different social classes.Tom are of vastly different social classes.

Question #4Question #4

What is deeply ironic about Tom’s What is deeply ironic about Tom’s statement, “…I may be old-fashioned in statement, “…I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me”?these days to suit me”?

Tom clearly believes in a double standard Tom clearly believes in a double standard since he is having an affair with Myrtle and since he is having an affair with Myrtle and the implication is that he has had affairs in the implication is that he has had affairs in the past.the past.

Question #5Question #5

What suspicions does Tom have about What suspicions does Tom have about Gatsby?Gatsby?

He suspects that Gatsby is involved in He suspects that Gatsby is involved in something illegal.something illegal.

What does he vow to do?What does he vow to do?

He vows to investigate and find out the He vows to investigate and find out the truth.truth.

Question #6Question #6

What is Gatsby expecting of Daisy that What is Gatsby expecting of Daisy that prompts Nick to warn him, “I wouldn’t ask prompts Nick to warn him, “I wouldn’t ask too much of her … You can’t repeat the too much of her … You can’t repeat the past”?past”?

Gatsby expects things to be exactly as Gatsby expects things to be exactly as they were five years earlier, which is now they were five years earlier, which is now impossible.impossible.

Chapter 6Chapter 6

This chapter focuses on the past – the This chapter focuses on the past – the story of Gatsby’s life before he met Daisy.story of Gatsby’s life before he met Daisy.

Just the Facts?Just the Facts?

Born James Gatz, the son of a North Born James Gatz, the son of a North Dakota farmerDakota farmer

Went to St. Olaf College, a small Lutheran Went to St. Olaf College, a small Lutheran school in Minnesotaschool in Minnesota

Left after 2 weeks – he was humiliated by Left after 2 weeks – he was humiliated by the janitor’s job he was given to pay room the janitor’s job he was given to pay room and board.and board.

Just the Facts?Just the Facts?

Worked as a clam digger and salmon Worked as a clam digger and salmon fisher in Lake Superiorfisher in Lake Superior

Meets Dan Cody who is impressed with Meets Dan Cody who is impressed with him and hires him as a steward on his him and hires him as a steward on his yachtyacht

Later he was mate, skipper, and finally Later he was mate, skipper, and finally personal secretary (the birth of Jay personal secretary (the birth of Jay Gatsby)Gatsby)

Just the Facts?Just the Facts?

Sails with Dan Cody to the West Indies Sails with Dan Cody to the West Indies and the Barbary Coastand the Barbary Coast

Learns to avoid alcoholLearns to avoid alcohol

Learns what the “good life” can beLearns what the “good life” can be

Cody dies and his mistress steals Cody dies and his mistress steals Gatsby’s share of his “inheritance.”Gatsby’s share of his “inheritance.”

Gatsby is penniless but he has his Gatsby is penniless but he has his “education.”“education.”

Time ShiftTime Shift

It’s later in the summer. Nick hasn’t seen It’s later in the summer. Nick hasn’t seen Gatsby for several weeks.Gatsby for several weeks.

Nick drops by Gatsby’s house and finds Nick drops by Gatsby’s house and finds Tom Buchanan there – the tension Tom Buchanan there – the tension between the two men is strong.between the two men is strong.

Gatsby invites Tom and the Sloans to Gatsby invites Tom and the Sloans to dinner.dinner.

The SloansThe Sloans

Mrs. Sloan is giving a dinner party herself Mrs. Sloan is giving a dinner party herself and invites Nick and Gatsby to join them; and invites Nick and Gatsby to join them; Nick refuses.Nick refuses.

Gatsby accepts – a breach of etiquette. Gatsby accepts – a breach of etiquette. The invitation was just a polite gesture.The invitation was just a polite gesture.

Gatsby lacks the social grace to know this. Gatsby lacks the social grace to know this. He does anything to be with Daisy.He does anything to be with Daisy.

TomTom

Tom is offended by Gatsby’s poor taste Tom is offended by Gatsby’s poor taste and doesn’t like the idea that Daisy has and doesn’t like the idea that Daisy has been coming to Gatsby’s house without been coming to Gatsby’s house without him.him.

Tom has a double standard – he can do Tom has a double standard – he can do anything he wants.anything he wants.

SnobberySnobbery

East Eggers turn up their noses at East Eggers turn up their noses at someone as unrefined as Gatsby.someone as unrefined as Gatsby.

Tom agrees to come to Gatsby’s the Tom agrees to come to Gatsby’s the following Saturday.following Saturday.

He seems to be acting out of a mixture of He seems to be acting out of a mixture of jealousy and curiosity.jealousy and curiosity.

An Evening at Gatsby’sAn Evening at Gatsby’s

The rest of the chapter describes a second The rest of the chapter describes a second evening at Gatsby’s – seen through evening at Gatsby’s – seen through Daisy’s eyes.Daisy’s eyes.

The mood is very different.The mood is very different.

Neither Nick nor Daisy has a good time.Neither Nick nor Daisy has a good time.

The ArgumentThe Argument

Tom and Daisy argue.Tom and Daisy argue.

Tom is increasingly suspicious of Gatsby Tom is increasingly suspicious of Gatsby and where he gets his money.and where he gets his money.

He tells Daisy that Gatsby is a bootlegger.He tells Daisy that Gatsby is a bootlegger.

Final SceneFinal Scene

Chapter 6 ends with a scene between Chapter 6 ends with a scene between Gatsby and Nick.Gatsby and Nick.

Gatsby is sad because Daisy didn’t have a Gatsby is sad because Daisy didn’t have a good time.good time.

Gatsby wants to obliterate the five years Gatsby wants to obliterate the five years since he last saw Daisy – if only there since he last saw Daisy – if only there were no Tom – no daughter – life could be were no Tom – no daughter – life could be perfect – like Louisville in 1917. perfect – like Louisville in 1917.